Medical utility fitted thumb glove

ABSTRACT

The medical utility fitted thumb glove is designed for use in hospital, homes and facilities where medical attention is provided. The invention encases the fingers, hand and arm, providing protection from contaminants. The device protects a patient&#39;s intravenous plug (IV) without the feeder tube, whether on the hand or the arm, while showering. There may be additional uses. The invention is designed to allow use of hand and fingers by form fitting tips of the four phalanges and thumb, while providing leeway in the remainder of the glove protecting the IV. The glove remains in place over the extremity through use of an elastic band that secures the glove position midway between the wrist and the elbow, by wrapping securely around the arm. The invention is ambidextrous and has multiple sizes, dependent upon the body size of the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,741,203, 3,906,941, 4,610,245, 4,639,945, 5,063,919, 5,342,286, 5,395,302

STATEMENT REGARDING RED SPONSORED R & D

This project was not Federally sponsored by grant award of a federal agency.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to protective devices for limbs. In particular, the present invention is related to devices for preventing a portion of a limb from getting wet when a person wearing the device is taking a shower.

2. Description of the Related Art

Devices for protecting limbs is known in the art. Some of the protective device known in the art prevents a portion of a hand or arm from coming into contact with soap and water while bathing or showering.

However, none of the protective devices of the prior art effectively preventing water from contacting an IV site. By IV site is meant the site at which a catheter enters a vein for intravenous transmission of a liquid from a tube into the vein.

When a person has a catheter inserted into the vein of the hand or arm and is receiving fluid through the catheter from a tube connected to a liquid reservoir such as a plastic tube or bottle connected to a stand, if the person desires to take a shower, the IV site may be wrapped with tape, or a plastic bag and tape, in an attempt to prevent water and soap from entering the site and contaminating the site. However, leakage occurs around the tube connected to the catheter where the IV plug enters the tape or bag. Liquids contacting the IV site can contaminate the site and loosen the bandage or tape holding the catheter to the limb.

Exemplary of the Patents of the related art are the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,395,302; 5,342,286; 5,063,919; 4,639,945; 4,523,586; 4,254,765; 3,906,941; and 3,741,203.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a protective device or medical utility fitted thumb glove for preventing water, soap and other liquids from coming into contact with an intravenous plug when a patient is showering.

The medical utility fitted thumb glove is designed for use in hospital, homes and facilities where medical attention is provided to individuals who require protection from exposure or contamination to their arm and hand. The medical utility fitted thumb glove will serve the purpose of encasing the fingers, hand and arm, providing protection from liquids or airborne materials, which may contaminate a sensitive area or medical device. In its most common use, the medical utility fitted thumb glove will protect a patient's intravenous plug (IV), whether located on the hand or the arm, during the performance of necessary hygiene, more specifically when showering or bathing. Additional uses may include, but are not limited to protecting a patient's bandaged areas or cast.

The medical utility fitted thumb glove is specifically designed to allow maximum use of an individual's hand and fingers by form fitting tips of the four phalanges and thumb, while providing sufficient leeway in the remainder of its design such as to easily fit over a protected area or device on the hand or arm. Once the glove is placed over the extremity, it remains in place through the use of an elastic band that secures the uppermost portion of the glove, that is, the portion of the glove that comes up midway between the wrist and the elbow, by wrapping around securely over the arm. The medical utility fitted thumb glove has multiple sizes, dependent upon the frame body of the individual that will utilize it.

The medical utility fitted thumb glove itself is designed to be ambidextrous, given the non-distinguishing characteristic for movement to any one hand. The medical utility fitted thumb glove form fits tightly over the four phalanges and thumb. Immediately after the form fitting portion over the four phalanges and thumb, the glove provides generous room in the areas where the glove fits over the remainder of the hand and arm, providing a very loose fit with leeway to the top, bottom and sides of the hand and arm. This can be described as a balloon effect with some consideration to the general shape of an individual's hand and arm. The medical utility fitted thumb glove has significant give in its shape over the fingers, hands and arm so as to easily fit over and intravenous plug, bandage and even a cast. The uppermost portion of the medical utility fitted thumb glove's composition consists of latex material construction, with the possibility for a different material to be utilized in later versions.

The present invention has several advantages. The first advantage is the protection of an IV site from liquids and soap during showering. Next, the prevention of an infection of an IV site during showering. In addition, the invention saves time for the nurse and patient with an IV site during cleaning of the body of the patient by enabling the patient to take a shower with little or no help from a nurse. Furthermore, the invention has the advantage of being low in cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top and perspective view from above of a medical utility fitted thumb glove showing my new design.

FIG. 2 is a similar perspective showing the bottom view.

FIG. 3 is a similar perspective side thumb view.

FIG. 4 is a similar perspective side finger view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the top view in FIG. 1 on page 1 of 2, the latex glove will extend from the elastic band around the forearm and continue toward the wrist and over the intravenous plug. This glove fits snugly around the thumb. The glove fits loosely around the remaining fingers and over the palm. This loose fit provides a comfortable protective barrier for the intravenous plug from contaminants during activities, which include showering.

In the bottom view in FIG. 2 on page 1 of 2, the latex glove would extend loosely from the fingertips towards the elastic band, which securely fits around the forearm. The glove around the thumb fits snugly.

Referring to the top side view of FIG. 3 on page 2 of 2, the latex glove will extend from the elastic band, forearm (FIG. 3), inner side view down to the intravenous plug, fitted around the thumb (FIG. 3) and continue to the end of the glove, fitted to the first knuckle, (FIG. 3).

In the bottom side view in FIG. 4 on page 2 of 2, the latex glove will extend from the elastic band around the forearm to the outer side view and toward the intravenous plug, which is fitted around the thumb (FIG. 4). It will then continue toward the end of the glove, which is fitted to the first knuckle. 

1. A disposable, waterproof glove comprising of: A. A glove end which form fits to each individual phalange and thumb. B. A glove body with balloon design providing a very loose fit with leeway to the top, bottom, and sides of the hand and lower arm. C. An elastic band that secures the uppermost portion of the glove body that comes up highest on the arm toward the elbow, by wrapping around securely over the forearm. D. A glove to be worn on either the left or right hand, giving the non-distinguishing balloon design and characteristic for movement or motion specific to any one hand. E. A glove, which encases the fingers, hand and lower arm. F. A glove of material limiting penetration of water and non-corroding fluids or liquids. G. A glove providing protection from airborne materials, which may contaminate a sensitive area or medical device, situate below the elbow. 